35 Days Until Departure..aka the Planner Starts Going Crazy :)

Some of you probably just read the title of tonight's blog and thought to yourself "you've already gone a little crazy with the planning Lynsey" and you are probably right, but now that I am down to almost a month before departure I really am trying to get all my ducks in a row. The picture below is what I spent Sunday night doing...organizing my life, writing out to do lists, creating a final packing list, and putting together a calendar of everything that I'm planning to do during the voyage.

This is probably a little overboard, but it helps to keep me calm and stops me from freaking out over how much there is to do in a little less than a month. I'm a lot luckier than some of my other co-workers who have to sublease apartments, sell furniture, leave jobs, and figure out where they will be moving to when we get back in August, but I still have quite a few things to get done. I'm excited tonight though because the last of my lonely planet books that I borrowed from school libraries all over Florida arrived, so I'm ready to start going through them port by port and writing down some of the suggestions that the books have. I want to do as much as I can while I am in each of the ports, so I'm going to make a list of the must see things while I am there.

None of you should be surprised that I put the books in order by port visited

Tonight, I figured I would give you a glimpse into the things that I might be doing while I'm on the voyage. The cool thing about Semester at Sea is that they offer field programs at each of the ports for students, faculty, and staff to do. I wish I was more of the adventurous spirit who was just fine getting off the ship and going, but I really like that for a "small"fee I can pay someone else to take care of everything for me and get me from the ship to my mini destination for the day. So without further ado, this is when I start to make you all jealous :) Below I've listed our my plans so far for each of the ports including descriptions of the SAS trips I am hopefully doing. I say hopefully because if a trip doesn't meet the minimum required amount of people it won't happen, so everyone keep your fingers crossed that they all work out! If you happen to have other suggestions of things I should do or places I should visit in any of the ports please please please let me know :) Also, the descriptions are sometimes a little lengthy so if you just want to see the basics of what I'm doing just look at the bold, italicized trip name!

Casablanca
Days One & Two: Marrakech & Ourika Valley- Berber Family Visit

Situated at the foot of the tall Atlas Mountain range is the famous imperial city of Marrakech. Begin your adventure on foot as you explore the ancient city, also known as the Medina. Explore the Mosque of the Koutoubia (the booksellers), erected in the 12th century. From the imposing minaret, a masterpiece of the Hispanic-Moorish art, the muezzin calls the inhabitants of the city every day to prayer.

Continue on an inside visit of the Bahia Palace, which serves as the residence of Ba Ahmed (a chief advisor to Sultan Moulay El Hassan). Lunch provides an opportunity to relax and to taste local cuisine. You’ll then visit Majorelle Gardens, home to the late Yves Saint Laurent. Today it houses a collection of plants from the four corners of the earth. You will also visit the Medersa Ben Youssef a Koranic school that was built around 1570 and which is now one of the biggest medersas (school) in northwest Africa.

Next, enjoy an era gone by as you explore the colorful and perfumed world of the
souks of Marrakech. Explore local handicrafts in these lanes, covered with reeds and lanterns. Finally, take in the Jemaa plaza el Fna. You will find a cosmopolitan crowd of dancers, snake charmers and monkey trainers at this famous pavilion. This site was proclaimed as Marrakech’s most famous pavilion. Noted for its role in showing the cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, it definitely won’t disappoint.

The next day, travel to the beautiful Ourika Valley. Less than 45 minutes out of Marrakech you can see green gorges, sparkling yellow wheat fields at the foot of snowcapped mountains. At the banks of the ferocious Ourika River you will find women washing clothes in the spray of waterfalls and traditional flat Berber homes made out of red earth. Spend time with a traditional Berber family where you can observe their way of life and enjoy lunch with them before the drive back to Casablanca.

Day Three: Fes, Spiritual Capital

If you had to visit only one city of Morocco, our choice would be Fes. Its architectural wealth, fascinating medina, and magnificent monuments makes Fes the cultural capital of the country. Enter the medieval city through the monumental gate Bab Bou Jeloud, decorated with blue enamel that glimmers in the sun. Visit the Medersa Bouanania, whose courtyard is marvelously realized in marble and onyx. The Old Medina of Fès

A lunch of typical Moroccan dishes will be served inside the Mnebhi building, one of the mostrefined buildings of the Medina. Continue through the medina, exploring its labyrinth of alleys of the Medina, where every corner holds a different guild of artisans. Explore the most fascinating souk of Fes, the tanner, announced by the strong and sharp odor of the hides. From a panoramic terrace we will see the extraordinary tradition of dying the skins in great tubs.

Pass in front of the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, a place revered by Moslems. Pass by the Mosque Kairouyine, founded in the 19th Century. The building is closed to non-Moslems, but from its numerous doors we can glimpse some of the beauties held inside. Before leaving the medieval city, take a photo stop that allows you to capture the entire Medina. Before returning to Casablanca, cross the Jewish district of Mellah, stopping in front of the Royal Building.

Antalya
Day One: Antalya Orientation/Perge & Aspendos

Drive along the Mediterranean coast to the city center to begin your walking tour. Enter the old town in style by passing through Hadrian's Gate, constructed in honor of his visit here in 130 AD. Walk into the 13th century as you pass the Yivli Minare Mosque, the grooved minaret that has become a symbol of the city.

Stroll through narrow streets where pretty Ottoman mansions have been
converted to quaint lodges covered with bougainvillea vines. Time moves a little
slower here, so relax and absorb the atmosphere. Later pass the Hidirlik Tower, a
squat stone cylinder that is believed to be the tomb of a 2nd century Roman
concul, as you wander down to the old harbor area. Not long ago this Roman harbor was falling into ruins. It is now an award- winning yacht marina, surrounded by cafes, restaurants and charming shops with their vividly colored handicrafts. Complete your morning with a visit to the Antalya Archaeological Museum. Take time to walk through the halls to see the relics discovered in the Pamphilia Region of ancient Asia Minor from both Greek and Roman eras before returning to the ship.

Journey back in time to the ancient city of
Perge. Located on the east side of Antalya, it
was founded by Greek settlers following the
Trojan Wars. Perge flourished under the
Selecuid Kings, who fortified the city for the fist
time. In the Hellenistic period Perge’s prosperity
was made in the coin minting industry. It was
later used by Alexander the Great as his base of
operations. You will visit the 2nd Century Roman amphitheater and stadium, the city ramparts and the Roman city gate complex. You will also see the Nymphaion the Propylaion, the baths and the agora.

Continue to Aspendos, whose amphitheatre is considered the most well-preserved
in the Mediterranean. Built in the 2nd Century AD, it was used for major concerts
and plays until a few years ago. Dating from 1000 BC, the city was a major port and
considered a key stronghold in the region during the 5th Century BC. Water was brought to the city through a marvelous aqueduct system which is also extremely well preserved. Walk thru this immense building and test the acoustics and view the still standing aqueducts before returning to the ship.

Day Three: Not a planned SAS Trip but a few of us are going to experience a Turkish Bath :)

Istanbul
Days One & Two: Cappadocia Independent Trip
This trip includes staying at an authentic cave hotel in Cappadocia and an early morning hot air balloon ride over the amazing landscape :)

Day Three: Asian Side of Istanbul

Begin with a drive across the Bosphorus Bridge, the world’s fifth-longest suspension bridge to the Beylerbeyi Palace. This white marble palace was used as a summer residence and guest house for foreign dignitaries during the Ottoman Empire.

Afterwards drive to Calmica Hill and enjoy a view of both sides of the city. Enjoy a
tea break with Turkish sherbet and tea. Visit the Sakirin Mosque at Karacaahment,
a modern mosque with interesting applications. Learn about Ottoman art and
rituals. Drive to Kadikoy and Fenerbahce residential areas of Asian Istanbul. Then Fenerbahce return to the European side of the city through Bagdat Street.

Piraeus(Athens)
Days Two, Three & Four: Santorini Independent Trip
I'm heading back to my favorite Greek Island that I didn't get to spend enough time on back in 2009. I'll be staying at a gorgeous little hotel in Fira (which also happens to have a young, very gorgeous owner). On our second day there we will be doing a planned tour of the island which includes going to the highest point on the island; stopping in the the village of Pyrgos; a boat ride over to the volcano; a swim in the hot springs; the island of Thirasia; and ending with the famous Oia sunset.

Livorno (Florence)
Day One: Pisa & Cinque Terre Independent Trip
Basically I'm just going to hop on a few Italian trains and make stops in Pisa and Cinque Terre before coming back to the ship :)

Day Two: Sienna & San Gimignano

Siena is a beautiful, medieval ensemble of buildings and towers cast in warm, brown, Siena-colored bricks. Its skyline - dominated by the gothic Cathedral (Duomo) and the taut needle of the Torre del Mangia - is its pride. Yet the shell shaped Piazza del Campo probably captures the most attention and fame appearing in films, photographs and advertising campaigns. Together with your guide, you will have a pleasant walk through the medieval streets of Siena, starting from San Domenico before visiting the Cathedral (inside visit) and the famous Piazza del Campo. You will have free time to stroll around and have lunch at your leisure, before heading to San Gimignano.

San Gimignano, the town of beautiful towers, lies in a
picturesque position on a hill dominating the Val d'Elsa, inhabited since the times of the Etruscans. Its squares are guarded by ancient buildings, its narrow and shady alleys and its soaring slender towers all create the character of this stunning town. You will walk along the main street until Piazza della Cisterna, to see the Cathedral (outside visit). Your guided tour will end at St. Agostino church where you will start enjoying some free time to explore the town.

Day Three: Milan Independent Trip
More Italian trains as I head up to Milan for the day/night and see the famous Duomo and of course The Last Supper.

Civitavecchia (Rome)
Day One: Verona Independent Trip
Ok, so technically I'm not in Rome this day, but that is where the ship will be and where I will meet the ship that night :) Just a quick day trip from Milan to Verona to check out Juliet's Balcony :)

Valletta
Day One: Three Cities

This cultural tour offers an intriguing insight into Malta and its history. Left largely unvisited, the Three Cities are a slice of authentic life, and a glimpse into Malta’s maritime fortunes. The Three Cities can rightly claim to be the cradle of Maltese history. Vittoriosa and Senglea on rocky promontories jutting into the Grand Harbour and Cospicua at the end of the creek have provided a home and fortress to almost every people who settled here. Their harbor inlets have been in
use since Phoenician times: the docks always providing a living for local people,
but also leaving them vulnerable when Malta’s rulers were at war. As the first
home to the Knights of St. John, churches, forts and bastions are far older than Valletta’s

Marseille
Day One: A Day in Aix-En-Provence

Often called the “Land of a Thousand Fountains,” Aix-en Provence is a historic town known for its beautiful architecture. Depart the port for this authentic small town, where you will have a chance to visit the sites with your group as well as explore on your own. A guided tour will take you past many of the town’s fountains and plazas, including the Four Dolphin Fountain and City Hall Square, as well as the Saint Sauveur cathedral. Afterwards, take some time to explore the town on your own. Visit the local museums and stroll the outdoor market. Don’t forget to take time for a
local lunch at a café, sipping
coffee and watching the town
come alive. Transportation will
be provided back to the port at
the end of the day, where you
can share your experience in
this authentically French town

Barcelona
Day One: Barcelona Orientation

Two-thousand-year-old Barcelona has long rivaled
Madrid as Spain’s most important city. It is the
capital of a region, Catalunya, which has its own
language, distinct character, and turbulent history.
It is renowned for being an active and cosmopolitan
city, featuring an impressive architectural and
monumental history. After a comprehensive urban
refurbishing before the 1992 Summer Olympics, Barcelona has come into its own as one of Europe’s most attractive and modern cities.

Enjoy views of the tree-lined Passeig Maritim and the Olympic Stadium and
numerous examples of Antoni Gaudí-inspired architecture, including La Pedrera
(Catalan for “the quarry”), one of Gaudí’s most famous works, which is known for
its unique façade, undulating smooth stone walls and elaborate iron balconies.
View the Plaça de Catalunya, the city’s main square, and the Columbus
Monument, which is located at the site where Columbus returned to Spain after his first voyage to the Americas.

Stop for a visit to Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Família, one of the most visited sites in Spain. Designed by Gaudí in 1882, this awe-inspiring building remains unfinished after a century, lacking completed walls and a roof. Construction is expected to be completed by Gaudí’s collaborators sometime after 2026. View from the outside the church’s features, including the massive nativity façade, the flamboyant spires and the modern stained-glass windows.

Next, enjoy a guided walking tour through the narrow streets of Barcelona’s Barri Gotic (also known as the city’s old Gothic Quarter), an area that is home to numerous historic palaces, courtyards and plazas. There, remains of the ancient Roman city and Medieval Buildings coexist with modern structures along winding cobblestone streets. Visit the Cathedral of Barcelona, a 600-year-old Gothic cathedral located at the heart of the Barri Gotic. View the cathedral’s three naves, stained-glass windows and exquisite choir screen. The altar holds the marble crypt of St. Eulalia, to whom the cathedral is dedicated.

Visit to Pueblo Español, located on Montjuïc Hill, where you can view artisans at work. This area, which was built in 1929 for the International Exposition, features an open-air museum and a real “village” with houses, streets and squares that represent the culture, architecture and traditions from different regions of Spain. Before returning to the ship, ascend the slopes of Montjuïc, the city’s 700-foot-tall hill, to Mirador Del Alcalde, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and harbor. This is the site of the 1992 Olympic Ring, as well as numerous parks, fountains and museums.

Day Three: The Chocolate Museum

Board a motor coach for the visit to the Museu de la Xocolata, the Chocolate Museum, where visitors learn about chocolate’s basic ingredient—cacao— including the historical role of its trade, the function of chocolate in society, and chocolate traditions and customs. Sponsored by Barcelona’s Provincial Confectionery Guild, the Chocolate Museum is located in the old building of St. Augustine’s convent.

The museum features cocoa creations, including achocolate miniature of Gaudí’s Casa Milà and Casa Batllo, and an informative presentation of the history of chocolate in Barcelona, whose seaside location and port led to the entrance of many products from the New World. Europeans became enchanted by chocolate, and the first chocolate factory in Europe was established in Barcelona in 1780.

The museum also features a display of spectacular Easter cakes, a tradition which originated in Barcelona in the 1950s. While at the museum, participate in a Chocolate Artists’ Workshop. Under the direction of a Provincial Confectionary Guild member, create a chocolate figurine while learning more about chocolate’s characteristics and its manipulation.

Cadiz
Day One: Seville Monumental Tour

The city of Seville has been molded by the numerous people who have inhabited it to create a city with a special identity. In 712 it was conquered by the moors and became an important city in the kingdom of Al-Andalus. In 1248 Ferdinand III captured the city from the moors and used it as a base to extend the re-conquest. Seville lived its true golden age after 1492, when the Americas were discovered and Seville became the
kingdom's exclusive trading port with these new colonies.

During your trip to
Seville you will visit the city's most emblematic monuments. Enter the Seville
Alcázar and its beautiful gardens. Learn about the fascinating relationship
between Peter the Cruel and Mohamed V which allowed for the Alcázar to benefit
from the finest artists and architects in the peninsula. Visit Seville’s great
cathedral, the largest gothic cathedral in the world and holder of the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Climb the Giralda bell tower, a medieval skyscraper! Explore the Santa Cruz suburb and the old Jewish quarter. Enjoy lunch at an excellent local tapas restaurant just next to the cathedral. You then have a bit of free time to explore the city center before we reconvene and travel back to Cádiz.

Day Three: Gibraltar: A Day on the Rock

Spend a day on Gibraltar with SAS. Participants will depart from the ship at 0830 by bus to Gibraltar (about a 2 hour ride) where we will walk across the border. During the 3 hour tour, the guide will provide a commentary of the history, politics and economy of this unique British enclave, including the Battle of Trafalgar when a garrison of 6000 men withstood the onslaught of Spain and France.

Included in the 3-hour tour will be St. Michael’s Cave, a walk thru the nature reserve and visiting the monkeys. Additionally, you will visit the Siege tunnels and finally the “City under Siege exhibition.” Participants then will have approximately an hour to 90 minutes of free time for lunch and to walk around the historic town before crossing the border and traveling back to the ship.

Lisbon
Day Two: Lisbon & Discoveries Tour

You will head to the Belém area where you will visit the Jeronimos Monastery. This monument, designed in the Manueline style, was built in the 16th century, under the orders of Manuel I, to commemorate Vasco da Gama's successful return from India. Next, you will visit the Maritime Museum, just next door. This is one of the most important museums in Europe, evoking Portugal's domination of the seas. It houses model ships from the Age of Discovery to present day.

Next, you will visit Confeitaria Nacional to taste the famous Pastel de Belém. Across the street, you will visit the Belém Tower and the Monument to Discoveries. The Belem Toward was built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbor. It was the starting point for many of the voyages of discovery, and was the last sight sailors had of their homeland. The Monument to Discoveries was built in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. It represents a three-sailed ship ready to depart, with sculptures of important historical figures.

Wait a Second....It's May?

How in the world is it May already? Ok, technically as I'm writing this it is still April 30th, but in the places that I will be visiting this summer, it's May. It feels like just yesterday that I was sitting at my computer about to book a vacation to Iceland when, as I went to click buy, my phone rang and I was offered a position as an RD on the summer Semester at Sea voyage. One of my best friends, who actually just got back from the spring voyage, was once told that even getting an interview for Semester at Sea is like getting an Oscar Nomination- it is a huge honor in this field when hundreds of people apply for each voyage and only 8 are selected.

If you've been reading these random posts, or if you've had the pleasure of spending 5 minutes with me, you know that I am a big planner. What I've learned from this Semester at Sea experience (and having over 6 months to plan for this adventure) is that if I ever get married, I should probably just elope. I do not need 6 months to sit and obsess and try to plan every little detail of something. Luckily, I've relaxed a little recently with SAS stuff, but since it's May, my craziness is probably going to pick up again. The other thing that might amaze people is that I don't have every minute of every day in port planned out........yet :)

We've been having conference calls as a student life staff about every two weeks since March and it has been incredible to get to know people just over a phone call and already seeing amazing personalities appear. It has also been nice to learn that I'm not the only crazy planner and that the team both appreciates and enjoys teasing me about being such a planner. I went into planning a few independent trips on my own and for two of them, I've managed to find travel partners already in other staff members. It is nice to not be the only one going through this experience and knowing that when I have moments when I just need to get away or am homesick, that I will have people that understand what I'm going through that I can turn to. On our last call, several staff mentioned that they are starting to become overwhelmed with getting ready for the trip. I think I'm the opposite right now. I'm at a great place getting ready for the trip, but I'm overwhelmed with trying to make sure that everything I need to get done here gets done. I know that everything is going to fall into place though, so I just need to remember to breathe.

But seriously, how is it May? I pretty much have a month left before I leave for London. My guess is that this month will either fly by, or it will go so incredibly slow. Either way, at the end of this month is an adventure :)

Busting out of my Comfort Zone

It is beyond crazy to me that I'm going to be leaving for London in a little over two months and that shortly after that I'll be boarding the MV Explorer and heading on the journey of a life time. It feels like when I found out I would be working for Semester at Sea in November was just yesterday and that I should still have all the time in the world to prepare for this voyage. Suddenly I am realizing that I am starting to run out of planning time and with the craziness that is Residence Life in April and May the time is going to start moving even faster and before I know it I'll be packing my bags and praying things go smoothly with my flights.

Tonight we hosted an event on campus called The Dream Share Project. Basically this event is the story of two individuals who graduated college in 2009 and after working in jobs that were really only to pay bills and weren't their passion, they decided to save up money, quit their jobs, and follow their dreams heading on a cross country road trip experiencing life and talking to others about how they have achieved their dreams. Most of the people they spoke to talked about how there are challenges and big risks to going after your dreams, but that if it is something you are passionate about you can take those risks, overcome the challenges and things will work out. After our students viewed the film, the two speakers (Chip and Alexis who were the ones of pursued their dreams)led our students in a workshop to help them start thinking about what their dream is, what they want to achieve in life and how they can start working towards that dream. A lot of the students I work with here are first generation students and a program like this has such a huge impact on their development and helps them realize that they don't need to just think about getting a job when they graduate, but rather having a career and following a dream that they have.

In a way, Semester at Sea is part of my dream. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved to soak up cultural things. I think part of this has to do with my learner strength in that I love to learn new things and by exploring other cultures and going to other places, I get to experience something new. I don't remember quite when it happened, but my dream is to travel the world. If I had the money and wouldn't feel guilty about just up and quitting my job, I seriously would give up everything and just travel. Now, let's be honest, I'd need at least six months to a year to prepare. Those of you who know me understand that I'm not the type of person who could just backpack their way around the world. I would need a plan. Realistically, I don't know if my dream will ever come true, but at least this summer with working on Semester at Sea I will have the opportunity to taste part of my dream.

Some of you who know me will be surprised to learn that I am actually an introvert. As an introvert, it can be very difficult for me to find my way into groups or to become comfortable in a room full of strangers. I'm more likely to sit back and observe rather than make myself the center of attention. It is also hard for me to get up the courage to talk to someone I don't know and if you mix in very large crowds in small spaces then I become overwhelmed with anxiety. Like most introverts, I'm able to fake being an extrovert when I need to and in housing that has to happen a lot but there are times when I struggle to break free of being an introvert and it causes me to miss out on some amazing opportunities. I've done a fair amount of independent traveling over the past few years and on my last trip I had a situation happen that shows the anxiety I can sometimes have in a new place when I don't feel comfortable yet.

My first night in Dublin I was starving and had no idea where to go for food or what to do. I tried asking the person working at the front desk of my hostel but they weren't very helpful as they thought I was crazy for asking where I could go since I was by myself. Their response was that there were plenty of bars I could just walk into, get food, and socialize with others. If there is one thing I can teach you about the Irish, they love to socialize and if you walk into an Irish bar (especially one that isn't in the Temple Bar area) you are bound to have a local strike up a random conversation with you. I left my hostel and anxiously walked around the corner to where several bars were located. I tried three different bars but they were all so crowded and no one else seemed to be alone so my anxiety started to build. After trying the fourth bar I was ready to cry, ready to give up, and ready to get on a plane and leave Dublin. I couldn't get passed my own fears of being by myself and trying to fit into a crowded place. The funny thing is, if you were to fast forward two days from this story after I made two friends on a day trip I was on, I instantly became the person who was willing to yell out after two random people, meet them, and continue our night with their group of friends. When I'm not alone, and when I find people I'm comfortable with, I can easily come out of my introverted shell.

This summer my goal is to bust out of my comfort zone. This is not going to be an easy task at all and its going to take a lot of bravery on my part and a lot of support from you all and also from the people on my voyage. I want to have an extroverted summer. I want to talk to strangers and learn about their lives. I want to be fine going somewhere completely alone. I want to have fun and have incredible once in a life time opportunities. I want to have conversations with locals in every single port that I stop at. I want to immerse myself into the culture of the places that we are going to visit. I don't want fear to hold me back from trying new things. I want to be able to make someone I've just met smile. I want to make new friends who can make me smile. I want to have confidence. I want to live in the moment. I want to be okay with not having plans or straying from the plans that I have made. I want to experience a part of my dream.

So this is where I want you to help me. Below is a list of the places I will be visiting over the course of my journey. I want you to dare me, to challenge me, to help me bust out of my comfort zone (but within reason...nothing illegal and nothing that will give me a heart attack). If you have an idea of something new, exciting, and again, out of my comfort zone that I can do please comment here or on facebook and let me know. It can be something general, or something specific to one of the places I am visiting. Once I've gotten feedback I'll put a list together and will update you all on my accomplishments throughout the voyage :)

Here's to new adventures!

Places I'm Visiting:

London

Casablanca, Morroco

Antalya, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey (with a visit to Cappadocia hopefully)

Athens, Greece (with a majority of the time hopefully in Santorini)

Florence, Italy (during my birthday!)

Rome, Italy

Malta

Marseille, France

Barcelona, Spain

Cadiz, Spain

Lison, Portugal

Making Connections

“The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes “sight-seeing.” – Daniel J. Boorstin

I have to admit, anytime I travel there are moments when I am clearly a tourist and other moments where I am more like a traveler. I am a planner. I like to know what I'm doing, what I'm going to see, and what is happening next. This is a huge strength of mine, but when it comes to be a traveler sometimes my planning causes me to miss out on incredible opportunities and moments interacting with the people and the culture of the place that I am in. Right now I'm starting to think about what I want to do and where I want to go this summer. I've decided that yes, I am going to make plans, but only to the extent of knowing where I'm going, when I'm going, how to get there, and where I will be sleeping. When it comes to what I am actually going to be doing in the towns and places I visit, well, that is where I hope this summer to be more of a traveler than tourist.

The best moments on all of my trips so far have been when I've stopped worrying about what I'm doing or where I'm going and I've spent time interacting with locals. I'm also an introvert so this isn't something that comes naturally to me. It is amazing how you can be somewhere half way across the world from where your "reality" is and you can make connections with people from a different background, a different upbringing, and a different culture than your own. Sometimes you can even make connections without being able to communicate via language.

One of my favorite connections that I made while traveling was one that was so simple and so brief, but has left a big impact on me. When we were in Egypt we had scheduled opportunities to go to an Egyptian village and speak with a family, but other than that we really did not interact very often with locals. During dinner one night at an Egyptian restaurant, I needed to go to the bathroom. There was a young woman who was probably in her mid to late twenties who was wearing an Abaya and head scarf. She was covered from head to toe as part of the customs of her culture so all I could see was her face. When I came in she smiled but she couldn't speak English so the smile was our only communication. For those of you who know me well, you are probably aware of the fact that I love earrings. I have probably close to 100 pairs and have some pretty neat ones and I make it a point to buy at least one pair in every country that I go to. On that particular day I was wearing a large interesting pair of earrings. When I cam out of the bathroom and went to leave the young woman grabbed my shoulder and stopped me. She smiled again and then modestly pulled back her headscarf and revealed a beautiful dangling pair of earrings. She then touched the pair that I was wearing and smiled again. This one such a small moment, but in that moment we both realized that despite the difference in our experience, the difference in our beliefs/cultures, and the fact that we had no way to really communicate with one another, that we had a connection- we shared something. For me this was also a very touching moment and something that must have taken some sort of bravery from the young woman. She made the decision to show me beyond her headscarf, to take something that is so important to wear in her culture off to show me something she was proud of and show me that we have a connection. It is moments like these that I really cherish when I travel.

The point of sharing this story is to remind all of us that when we travel, and even when we are here at home, to look for the little connections that you have with people. To realize that even though you may think someone is very different from you, that there are things that can bring you together- there are ways for you to connect. I think if we all took time to listen to one another, hear each others stories, we would learn that we aren't that different and that we can live together in harmony and appreciate one another. Look for those connections. I promise they are all around you.